I loved this post shared by Petra Umann petraeamu@gmail.com, September 2014. Petra covers the bases of what happens to us when we are stressed. She includes meditation and breath (and we know kundalini yogaincludes both!) as 2 of the top 4 ways to reduce stress levels…

When we look around in the world today, everyone seems to be experiencing ever more escalating amounts of stress on a daily basis–from disgruntled airline passengers fighting over a few inches of legroom and reclining seat issues, to emotionally draining exclamations of impending doom by the media, to the egregious stress of war and fighting. Whether we are consciously aware of it or try to downplay the amount of stress we experience, stress is a seemingly normal part of life.

In addition, we all know that we live in a visual world. This is a powerful realization that advertisers, news outlets and individuals of media-driven markets have long ago internalized. On a purely physical level, we are drawn to messages and imagery that trigger an adrenaline boost; e.g. fear- and panic-inducing key words and visuals that prompt us to react with a “fight-or-flight” response, which is a form of highly “effective” stress.

When we are stressed or afraid, the hypothalamus is activated and sends signals to the adrenal glands via the sympathetic nervous system to flood the body with adrenaline, cortisol and DHEA. These hormones, in turn, cause the heartbeat to quicken, respiration increases, pupils dilate and every muscle slightly contracts. In short, the body produces extra energy to deal with whatever potential challenge we might be facing.

This “fight or flight” response is a psychogenetic, historic imprint that conjures the energy necessary to either “fight” or “flee”. If you were suddenly being attacked by a a large animal, you would have felt a surge of excitement to either fight harder than you’ve ever fought before or to run faster than you had ever run before. In today’s world, if a large truck came speeding towards you, you would have the same response. This energy of “excitement” can create “hysterical strength” in cases of extreme duress, e.g. I’m sure you’ve all heard of the seemingly impossible feats of a woman lifting a car to free her entrapped child or the, at times, superhuman accomplishments of professional athletes. These examples are a testament to what the human body is capable of under the influence of adrenaline and when the extra energy that stress/fear creates is being used.

This goes to show that our bodies are actually quite well equipped in dealing with “regular” stress. Once our bodies have adapted to or have dealt with the unusual or threatening circumstances that triggered the adrenaline production, the body calms down again and the adrenaline is being metabolized.

Problems often arise from many of the chronic mental stressors that we are exposed to. E.g. worrying about financial issues and uncertainty, being afraid of losing one’s job, family issues pulling us in a million different directions, etc. The problem with this form of mental stress is that there is no obvious course of action available (like running away or fighting the tiger that’s attacking you), thus the extra energy that the body created to “fight or flight” becomes stagnant and causes contraction, while leaving the adrenal glands in a continuous cycle of over production. This chronic “jolt” very quickly becomes a poison causing a myriad of physical problems ranging from high blood pressure, headaches, weight gain, insomnia, depression, addiction issues, autoimmune diseases and allergies, among other issues.

Fortunately there are quite a few, very effective ways to not only manage but also reduce stress levels.

1. Meditation – “Exercising your inner muscles”

Sending color to your adrenal glands

Sit comfortably. Close your eyes and take a deep breath into your body. Imagine drawing white light from the cosmos down through the top of your head and let it fill your body. Then, begin to radiate the white light out through your solar plexus, out through the ceiling and into the sky. Keep radiating this white light, noticing how it creates a “blank/clean slate” in your body and how it expands the auric field while activating all of your senses.

Now, rub your hands together to create heat and energy. When you feel a buzzing or palpable energy in your hands, place them on your lower back (above the pelvic bone), more specifically, on your kidneys and adrenal glands (your adrenal glands are situated on top of the kidneys). Feel how the warmth of your hands nourishes and replenishes your kidneys and adrenals.

Bring your consciousness into your adrenal glands, now. As you tune into your adrenal glands, ask them what color they need to be balanced and to function perfectly. (If you are stressed, you can specifically ask your adrenal glands what color they need to produce the perfect amount of adrenaline/cortisol to deal with the given situation.) Take the first color that comes to mind and imagine that you draw that frequency from the cosmos directly into your adrenal glands. Keep filling your adrenals with that color until they feel balanced to you.

Bonus: In a stressful situation, imagine/envision a solution.
If you are stressed about financial worries, imagine having all the money you need.
Health related issues: visualize healing or a healthy body. Conflicts/arguments: concentrate on a peaceful solution.
Relationships: focus on something you love/appreciate about that person/the people you are having problems with.

When ever you feel ready, take another deep breath and open your eyes again.

2. Breathing and Being Present

Deep breathing counteracts the effects of stress by lowering blood pressure and slowing down the heart rate. Try this:

Sit comfortably, close your eyes and begin to breathe deeply into your body. On each inhale, count to 3 or 5 (depending on lung capacity and what you feel most comfortable with), hold your breath for 3 to 5 counts and then exhale using that same 3-5 count pattern. Continue for a few minutes until you feel a sense of calm and nourishment.

You have to be present when you focus on your breath, as your breath draws your attention inward. When you feel the space that you’ve created for yourself in this present moment, take a moment to perceive your surroundings; e.g. notice how the air feels on your skin, if you are outside, or enjoy the texture and taste of each bite of food. The applications are really limitless. You’ll be surprised by how many things you don’t notice on a daily basis because you are too stressed or busy to pay attention to them.

3. Exercise

Physical exercise is a wonderful way to release and utilize all of those stuck energies created through fear or stress. When you work out or participate in a Yoga class, the physicality of the tasks at hand demand your presence. When you use the energy of fear and stress, it will ultimately liberate you. Exercise also has the added benefit of releasing endorphins into the brain, which improves your mood.

4. Sleep and B Vitamins

Sleep is probably the most important stress reducer. So when you are stressed, do whatever works for you to get a good night’s sleep.
B Vitamins are typically found in eggs, dairy products, beans, peas, nuts, liver and in the bran of cereal grains and help induce relaxation, support the brain and nervous system as well as help fight fatigue.

Of course, eating healthy, limiting cell phone and internet use, getting a massage or acupuncture treatment, or using essential oils are all great stress-reducing factors as well.

Choose any of the above methods when you feel stressed. Especially sending light to your adrenal glands can be used as an effective precaution and a way to set the tone for a peaceful day.

These seven, thirty-minute meditations will clear and enhance your inner landscape as it relates to specific core components of a strong business. You will be able to respond to external events with more awareness and clarity, and hence, change the business results that you deliver over time.